Question-and-Answer Session
Operator
(Operator Instructions) Your first question comes from David Burtzlaff - Stephens Inc.
David Burtzlaff - Stephens Inc.
In terms of the Walmart, you may be planning on opening another 300 to 500 stores, it looks like, compared to where you were last year. How many of those do you expect to be franchisees and company-owned?
Harry W. Buckley
I think right now, although we haven't finalized our total numbers, it's probably going to be 75% franchised and in the area of 25% company-owned.
David Burtzlaff - Stephens Inc.
And then on the pre-season loan product, what kind of enhancements can you do, or can you give any more details on what some of these new initiatives could be to improve that product?
Daniel P. O'Brien
One of the issues that we faced last year is there is a desire on the part of our clients, who come in after receiving the loan and come in for tax preparations services, to received proceeds on a check versus proceeds on a card. And some of the operational issues we had last year were associated with those folks who had received a loan trying to take the proceeds off of the card after their tax refund was loaded on it.
This year we plan to have a check option for our customers. We think that will certainly meet their desires more, and also help with some of the operational issues that we had.
Operator
Your next question comes from Scott Schneeberger – Oppenheimer & Co.
Scott Schneeberger – Oppenheimer & Co.
You have talked in the past about a pursuit of strategic alternatives. Could you give us an update if there are any developments there?
Harry W. Buckley
Are you referencing Goldman Sachs coming on in June?
Scott Schneeberger – Oppenheimer & Co.
Yes.
Harry W. Buckley
No, we have nothing to add at this time.
Scott Schneeberger – Oppenheimer & Co.
On the Walmart development, basically the talk before was that you had to be in 95% of what the two of you agreed on for in a list of the appropriate stores. Is that list finalized now and so you and Walmart have mutually come to the determination that that's the right amount to open this year? The underlying question is how is your relationship with Walmart? You mentioned in the press release and on the call that you're optimistic that you can continue to build in 2010 although there are some new restrictions for 2009. Can you give us a taste of how you think the relationship is going.
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